Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Pakistan Seeks Neutral Venue as Hockey India Rejects Appeal
Pakistan’s hockey federation wants its matches in the Asian Champions Trophy played somewhere other than India.
It says relations between Pakistan and India are sensitive and that security conditions could make the trip difficult.
The federation asked either for the whole tournament or all of Pakistan’s matches to be moved.
The tournament is planned for October 27 to November 5 in two Indian cities.
Pakistan says it still wants to play India and the other participating teams.
Hockey India rejected the request and said Pakistan must travel to India if it wants to compete.
Pakistan also says its government has not yet approved the team’s trip.
The Asian Hockey Federation will have to consider the request, while the tournament remains scheduled in India.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation asked the Asian Hockey Federation to move the 2026 Asian Champions Trophy or all Pakistan matches to a neutral venue.
The PHF cited sensitive Pakistan-India relations and prevailing security conditions, seeking safe and uninterrupted participation.
Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh rejected the request, saying Pakistan must travel to India to play.
The tournament is scheduled for October 27 to November 5 in Mohali and Jalandhar, Punjab.
A PHF official said Pakistan’s government had not cleared the team’s travel, despite earlier participation assurances from Indian officials.
- Who
- The Pakistan Hockey Federation, led by interim president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, made the request; Hockey India rejected it.
- What
- Pakistan asked for the Asian Champions Trophy, or all of its matches, to be moved to a neutral venue.
- When
- The request was made on Wednesday; the tournament is scheduled for October 27 to November 5, 2026.
- Where
- The tournament is scheduled for Mohali and Jalandhar in Punjab, India.
- Why
- The PHF cited sensitive bilateral relations, prevailing security conditions, and the need for safe, dignified and uninterrupted participation.
Pakistan Hockey Federation
Hockey India and Indian Officials
Venue and security
Pakistan Hockey Federation
The PHF wants a neutral venue because of the sensitive bilateral situation and prevailing security conditions, saying this would provide a safe and conducive environment.
Hockey India and Indian Officials
Hockey India said there would be no venue change and that Pakistan must come to India if it wants to participate.
Participation status
Pakistan Hockey Federation
A PHF official said Pakistan’s government had not yet cleared the team’s travel and that government advice was needed before applying for visas.
Hockey India and Indian Officials
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh had earlier said Pakistan’s participation was confirmed and that India’s sports policy allowed Pakistan to play in multinational events.
Sports and politics
Pakistan Hockey Federation
The PHF said it remained committed to playing India and other teams and supported keeping sports separate from politics, while still seeking a neutral venue.
Hockey India and Indian Officials
Hockey India’s position was that participation in the tournament requires Pakistan to travel to the scheduled Indian venues.
- Tournament
- Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026
- Scheduled dates
- October 27 to November 5
- Scheduled venues
- Mohali and Jalandhar, Punjab, India
- Pakistan’s request
- Move the entire tournament or all Pakistan matches to a neutral venue
- Participating teams
- India, Pakistan, Malaysia, China, Japan and Korea
- Hockey India response
- No venue change will be entertained; Pakistan must travel to India to play
- Clearance status
- A PHF official said Pakistan’s government had not cleared the team’s travel to India
Sources
Pakistan seeks neutral venue for Asian Champions Trophy matches citing ‘sensitive’ ties with India - Telegraph India
Hockey India Rules Out Venue Change Following Pakistan's Appeal: 'No Entertaining Such Request'
